Dianne Breaks Through Glass Ceiling
The construction industry is one of the few remaining male dominated areas of commerce as mum of two Dianne Conroy discovered when she tried to break into the business four years ago.
Determined Dianne, who is a qualified assessor and verifier for the glazing industry, won a position with a national college, but shortly after the appointment, the post was withdrawn.
Undeterred, Dianne decided to start her own company, going into business partnership with her father David Smith, who brought a great deal of experience into the company.
The pair haven’t looked back since and are now celebrating after moving their business into new commercial premises in Arnold.
Their company Dianne Smith Associates Ltd has bought the freehold of the former doctors surgery on Chapel Lane, close to the centre of the town.
It will be a new base for Dianne and David as well as Dianne’s sister Jane Gale who is centre coordinator for the family firm.
Together they work in partnership with a number of national colleges, such as West Notts College, to offer NVQs and apprenticeships for the glazing industry.
The qualifications mean that tradesmen can obtain a CSCS card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) which is required before they can work on commercial building sites.
Dianne said: “I grew up with an excellent knowledge of the industry because my father has worked in construction all my life.”
For the past four years their base has been Mercury House – the Nottinghamshire Business Ventures start-up centre. But their continued success has meant they needed to acquire bigger premises. Their new office comprises more than 1000 square feet.
They are licensed by the Glass Qualifications Authority (GQA) to deliver NVQs in all types of architectural glazing as well as window and door installation and manufacturing with assessments being carried out on site or in the workplace.
Dianne added: “We work with local and national colleges and have access to funding which enables companies to obtain qualifications for free or with just a small contribution thanks to the Government’s Train to Gain scheme.
“Companies are increasingly taking up places for apprenticeships within the construction industry under the Train to Gain scheme, and this together with general expansion has made a move to larger premises necessary.”
An independent survey of organisations that employ apprentices, conducted on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council found that more than three quarters of respondents felt their apprenticeship programme made them more competitive, and the same number believed apprenticeships led to higher productivity.
Dianne added: “Our experience and access to funding enables us to work with organisations large or small to create a programme that causes the minimum of disruption to the workforce whilst obtaining their qualification.”
Phil Smith, partnership manager for West Notts College said: “We’re very happy to see Dianne Smith Associates Ltd flourishing. The work they do is very important in filling the skills gap within the construction industry.
“By qualifying the existing workforce they enable companies to work on the major commercial construction sites. Without the qualifying programme contracting firms would only be able to work on small scale domestic sites so it’s absolutely vital work to the economy.”